- An electromagnet, just like a "permanent" magnet, has a magnetic field around it. When iron filings align with the magnetic field, you can get a representative picture of that field.
- In this lab, you will use the electromagnet you constructed previously to create an image of the magnetic field.
MATERIALS NEEDED:Electromagnet that you made in the previous lab.
Nail identical to the one used to make the electromagnet
6-volt battery
Roll of masking tape
15-cm square sheet of cardboard
Iron filings
Scissors
RulerPROCEDURE:
Using the ruler and scissors, construct a square of cardboard that is 15 cm on each side.
Using the extra nail, carefully punch a hole through the center of the cardboard.
Insert the end of the nail of the electromagnet through the hole in the cardboard. Let the lower wire go through the cardboard with the nail.
Place the cardboard on the roll of tape, to make the cardboard sit flat above the table. See the drawing.Attach one end of the wire to either battery pole.Sprinkle a thin layer of iron filings on the cardboard around the electromagnet. It is important not to use to much iron filings.Attach the free wire to the other battery terminal.Observe the pattern made by the iron filings. You may want to very gently tap the cardboard a few times to help the iron filings align with the magnetic field. What happens as you gently tap the cardboard?Disconnect the wires.CAUTION: The nail and wires will get hot if left connected to the battery. Be sure to disconnect one wire from the battery to break the circuit.
FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS:
- If you would like to investigate magnetic fields further, look at MAKING A PRINT OF A MAGNET'S MAGNETIC LINES OF FORCE, from the project section of this web page.
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Back to Lab Dad's Laboratory
- In this lab, you will use the electromagnet you constructed previously to create an image of the magnetic field.
INVESTIGATING THE MAGNETIC FIELD
AROUND AN
ELECTROMAGNET
INTRODUCTION: